Point Protection in Alaska “cabin protection”

What is point protection? Protection of a site threatened by a fire. A site can be: – A single structure – A compound of structures – Materials – Historical/Archeological sites – Allotments – Antennas – Pipeline – Protected habitat

Structures “cabins” Cabin/structure protection is the most common type of point protection in Alaska. Cabins vary greatly in scale and construction. Most cabins can be categorized somewhere between: – Maintained – Historical

Maintained

Historical

Develop a plan Protection strategy: – Plumb and defend – Plumb and run – Burn out and mop-up Considerations: – Time – Fuels – Number of structures – Available resources – Availability of supplies – Is cabin occupied? Triage

Plumb and defend Pros: – Personnel on site Spot fires Pre-wetting Site prep – Burnout may /may not be necessary – Pumps/sprinklers adjusted as needed. – After the fire has passed equipment and personnel may be pulled from site

Plumb and defend Cons: – Resources committed to structure(s) for long periods of time resupply – Fire threaten multiple structures at same time

Plumb and run Pros: – Minimal people protect multiple cabins – Uses fire is far from cabins Several cabins and fire is close Lack of resources to staff each cabin No adequate safety zone

Plumb and run Cons: – Pump/sprinklers System may fail Pump gas runs out before fire reaches cabin – Smoke/time considerations resources may not return in time to start pumps – Equipment needs to be retrieved at a later date

Burn out and mop-up Pros : – Black to secure cabin – No water needed – Great in tundra – No need to return to pull equipment – Resources on scene to deal with problems during burnout operations – Talk with FMO/ Agency Administrator before burning!!!!

Burn out and mop-up Cons: – Fire may never reach site Later spotting into unburned fuels – Loss of aesthetic value – Dirty burn may not be effective – Trees falling on cabin – Possible lengthy mop-up

Cabin wrap Not commonly used anymore Not very effective No need for cabin wrap if sprinklers are available Labor intensive to install Must be removed Damage to structures(staples and tacking) Require ladders for installation

Site preparation Clear out wood and slash piles near structure. Cut trees – bucked and stacked – limbs scattered – Thin and limb larger trees Scatter problem dead and down( if you can’t, then sprinkler the piles) Trench around cabin Clear enough to accomplish the job, but remember why people have cabins in the woods!

Shindaiwa/ Honda – – Low on power. – Minimal fuel consumption – Generally less than 8 sprinklers – Best for set up and leave operations near H20. – Run time( 5 gal.) approx. 8 hrs. – 40:1 premix for both 2 stroke and 4 stroke Mark III – – Lots of power, – Higher fuel consumption for set up leave operations. – Generally around 15 sprinklers – Best for cabins far from H2O or high on the hill. – Multiple structures – Run time (5 gal.) approx. 3 hours – 40:1 premix Pumps Use the best pump for the job

Sprinkler kit Sprinkler Kits contain (Alaska Fire Service) : – Shindaiwa fuel hose line 5 gal can adapter – 10 rolls / 50’ garden hose – 4 1” to ¾” reducers – 5 sprinkler heads – 5 gal. gas can(pump adapted) – 2 1” Y – 3 ¾” Y – 2 extra spark plugs – Length of “P” cord Kit contents may vary by agency and region One kit does not equal one cabin

Sprinkler installation Use enough sprinklers to cover the entire structure. Vary set up heights (example): 2 above roof line on opposite corners, 2 below roof line on the other opposite corners Adjust sprinklers as needed: short range mist long range spray Remove all kinks from 3/4” hose. Adjust sprinkler head for desired coverage range.

Sprinkler installation cont. Use sprinklers on any receptive fuels surrounding the cabin. Make sure hose lays are protected from cabin to pump Adapt Shindaiwa to run off 5 gal. gas can. Take several pictures for the zones/land managers If pumps are left on a river/tidal waters, move the pump and fuel above the high water mark. Don’t forget the out buildings!

Sprinkler installation cont. Do not set sprinklers up in a series connected with 5/8” hose (as shown below) the pressure loss is too great and the last sprinkler will have little to no pressure. Pump Sprinklers 3/4” hose 1 ½ “ – 1” hose

Sprinkler installation cont. Run each sprinkler off of one section of garden hose attached directly to one inch or larger hose. (see below) Pump 1 ½ “ – 1” hose 1” hose Gated wye Sprinkler ¾”hose

Sprinkler installation cont. Multiple sprinklers off gated wye

Sprinkler installation cont. TripodPole

Sprinkler installation cont. Tripod on roofCheck coverage

Sprinkler installation cont. Cut and notch method – Saw Cuts – hose perpendicular to cut – V notch to prevent sprinkler from rotating when charged – Lash tightly

Set-up Always test the system! – Adequate coverage – Sprinkler tripods/poles are secure and stable – Pre wet area – Note best pump throttle setting – Note run time on 5 gal. Fuel Sprinklers wetting all sides of cabin

Make a map GPS coordinates for: – Cabin – Pumps Pump property numbers List of supplies on site List of site prep. completed Map structures especially if several structure in close area ie. around a lake List any additional supplies needed

Additional supply needs Extra pump fuel Extra hose Extra pump Burning supplies Water and food (very common to be smoked in for days with no resupply) Transportation?? – Local boat rental – Zodiac via paracargo (with or without operator) – ATV rental

Extended time between set-up and use Always test pump and hose system. Move pump, hose, fuel and all equipment above high water line. If freezing temperatures are possible drain pump and hose.

Cabin etiquette Be respectful of others property Pick up your trash Don’t eat any stored food Leave things as you found them Leave a note Remember, someone may depend on the cabin regardless of its condition.

Common watch outs Nails in trees Old outhouse holes Unstable roof Fuel/hazmat Explosives Bear deterrents: – Plywood and nails – Plywood and large treble hooks – Etc……..

What needs to be done?

Expect the unexpected